ABUJA – Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday paid tribute to the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, a retired Supreme Court judge.
The motion to pay tribute to the renowned jurist was moved by Rep. Stella Dogwu (PDP- Bayelsa) during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Emeka Ihedioha.
Dogwu called on the house to observe a minute silence in honour of the late jurist and the late Michael Otedola, a former governor of Lagos State.
In their tributes, the lawmakers described the late Oputa as a `judicial icon’ that should be celebrated and immortalised.
Rep. Ossai Ossai (PDP Delta) and Rep. Ibrahim El-Sudi (PDP Tararba), said the late Oputa gave justice a new meaning and deserved to be celebrated.
Ossai, specifically said that the legislature should not only observe a minute silence in his memory, but added that an institution should be named after him.
“The late jurist left his footprints in the sand of times, we should, therefore, immortalise this man,’’ Ossai said.
Rep. Victor Ogene (APGA Anambra) and Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (APC Lagos), who extolled the virtues of the late judicial icon, declared that he lived an exemplary life and should be immortalised.
Ogene said: “Oputa as a Supreme Court Justice was described as Lord Denning of Nigeria’s judiciary due to his insightful judgments.’’
Rep. Jerry Alagboso (PDP Imo) described the deceased as a `nationalist and a man of many parts.’ (NAN)
